July 16, 2023
“ For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ‘Eat and drink!’ he says to you, But his heart is not with you.” Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
“You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely.” Psalms 139:3-4 (NRSV)
What are you thinking? Have you ever considered how your thoughts affect your actions? Have you experienced a negative thought
and had to stop and ask yourself, “Where did that thought come from?” Have you ever considered auditing your thoughts? Are your thoughts pleasing to God? How do you make your thoughts pleasing to God?
After working years in the medical profession, ministry, and biblical counseling I find myself consistently contrasting and/or correlating physical symptoms with emotional and spiritual issues of life. From a biblical perspective, thoughts play a significant role in shaping our emotions and actions. Proverbs 23:7, states, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” This verse suggests that our thoughts influence who we are and how we behave in life. The Bible encourages believers to guard their thoughts and focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable in Philippians 4:8. By aligning our thoughts with godly principles and seeking wisdom, we are more likely to exhibit actions that reflect those thoughts.
Physically speaking our thoughts and beliefs have a significant impact on our brains and can influence our perception, emotions, and behavior in various ways. You may have heard the statement “Your mind believes what you tell it!” From a scientific perspective, this statement can be understood through the lens of intellectual reasoning and neuroscientific research. Negative thoughts can have a direct impact on our physical health. when we consistently think certain thoughts or repeat certain beliefs, our brain circuits adapt and strengthen accordingly. This means that the more we reinforce particular thoughts or beliefs, (true or false) the more likely they are to become ingrained in our neural pathways, making them more readily accessible and influential in our response to life situations.
Also, when we consistently dwell on negative thoughts, it can trigger a stress response in our bodies, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol. Prolonged exposure to these hormones can disrupt our immune system, increase blood pressure, impair digestion, and weaken the cardiovascular system. Over time, this can contribute to the development of various physical ailments such as cardiovascular disease, weakened immune function, gastrointestinal issues, and chronic pain.
The Word of God teaches us that our thoughts and thought-life are of great importance. The significance of our thought life is emphasized in several passages. The Scriptures teach that our thoughts have a profound impact on our actions, character, and ultimately, our relationship with God and others. Psalm 139:2 reminds us of God’s Omniscience! The Psalmist reminds us that God knows our thoughts He says, You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. (NRSV) The inescapable God is intimately aware of our thought life, and nothing is hidden from Him. This truth should motivate us to align our thoughts with His Word and seek His guidance in all areas of our thinking. God is intimately aware of our thought life, and nothing is hidden from Him. This truth should motivate us to align our thoughts with His Word and seek His guidance in all areas of our thinking.
Psychologically / Emotional Conditioning: Our thoughts and beliefs are closely intertwined with our emotions and can take a toll on our emotional well-being. When we repeatedly think negative thoughts, our brain releases stress hormones and activates regions associated with negative emotions which can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, frustration, and hopelessness. These emotions can become overwhelming and persistent, leading to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and chronic stress. Over time, this emotional conditioning strengthens the association between negative thoughts and negative emotions. can also distort our perception of reality, making it difficult to find joy, experience gratitude, and maintain healthy relationships with ourselves and others. Consequently, our minds become more inclined to believe negative thoughts due to the emotional responses they elicit.
Spiritually / Combating Spiritual Warfare: Our spiritual well-being encompasses our sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than ourselves. Our thoughts can be influenced by negative influences, deceptive philosophies, and spiritual attacks. Negative thoughts can hinder our personal growth, leading to feelings of disconnection, isolation, and a loss of faith or hope. Negative thoughts can also create a barrier between us and our deeper values, preventing us from aligning our actions with our spiritual beliefs and experiencing a sense of fulfillment and purpose in life. It is essential to recognize and counteract these influences through the power of Christ. The Apostle Paul acknowledges reminds us that we are in a spiritual battle, and we face and need to take captive every thought! He says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Pivoting With Biblical Principles: Highlighting the Importance of Our Thoughts:
- Transformation of the Mind: Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This verse highlights the need for a transformation in our thinking. Our thoughts can either align with worldly patterns or be renewed by God’s truth. The renewing of our minds enables us to discern God’s will and live in a way that pleases Him. Guarding our Thoughts: Proverbs 4:23 advises, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The heart in this context refers to the inner being, including our thoughts and emotions. Guarding our thoughts involves being vigilant about what we allow to enter and dwell in our minds. Negative, impure, or destructive thoughts can lead to sinful behavior and hinder our spiritual growth.
- The Power of Positive Thinking: Philippians 4:8 encourages believers to focus on positive and edifying thoughts: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” This verse underscores the importance of nurturing a positive thought life, which contributes to a healthier mindset, stronger faith, and a more fruitful life.
- Renew Your Mind: As previously mentioned, Romans 12:2 encourages believers to renew their minds. This involves intentionally replacing negative thoughts with God’s truth. Meditate on Scripture, memorize verses that address your specific struggles, and remind yourself of God’s promises and character. By renewing our minds, guarding our thoughts, focusing on positive thinking, engaging in spiritual warfare, and aligning our thoughts with God’s truth, we can experience transformation, spiritual growth, and a more vibrant relationship with God.
A HEALED 
HEART: RX: A SURRENDED ♥️ HEART: HOW DO I MAKE MY THOUGHTS PLEASING TO GOD?
- Study and think about God’s word continually, and let his thoughts fill your mind.
Joshua 1:8. “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”
Psalm 119:11. “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
1 Timothy 4:13-15. “Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.”
- Serve and worship God with your whole mind.
1 Chronicles 28:9. “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”
Matthew 22:37. “Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”
- Get rid of evil thoughts.
Matthew 5:28 “But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Mark 7:20-23. “And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
- Ask God to help you have pure thoughts.
Psalm 19:14. “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Psalm 26:2. “Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.”
Psalm 139:23. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.
- Fill your mind with good thoughts.
Philippians 4:8. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
- Let God change your thoughts.
Colossians 3:2-3. “Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Romans 12:2. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Allow God to transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing, and perfect His will really is.
Remember, overcoming negative thoughts is a process that requires persistence and reliance on God’s strength. By incorporating these biblical principles into your life and seeking God’s guidance, you can experience transformation and freedom from negative thinking patterns. “I know, my God, that you search the heart, and take pleasure in uprightness; in the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.” 1 Chronicles 29:17 (NRSV)
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Word that gives us clear instructions on what we are to think. Father, we give all of our negative thinking to You. We submit to Your authority, and we surrender our thoughts and emotions to You. We submit our minds to You, guide and transform our thinking patterns, and fill our minds with Your truth and presence, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!